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The frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

This vocal music duo sparked widespread controversy when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer performance. This chant was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its agency UTA, and the US government revoked the members' visas, forcing them to cancel a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his initial interview since the festival show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Oh yeah. Like what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the criticism the band encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have their support, these are the people that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Comments

This artist claimed he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the chant, and asserted that staff of BBC employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's ECU subsequently determined that the BBC's airing of the show breached content standards in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the views of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

After asked what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to permit that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. Where the local people are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance led to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

When he mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have also encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he said, "since as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."